Security Clearance Acknowledgement and NGFP Application Instructions
Applicants selected for participation in the Nonproliferation Graduate Fellowship Program (NGFP) must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance, which is an essential requirement of the program. As such, applicants will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to offices /facilities and classified matter.
As part of the investigative process, the applicant will be required to complete an SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP). The questions in the QNSP not only cover identity, education, employment, residences, and references, but also allegiance to the United States, foreign influence and associations, financial status, substance abuse, emotional/mental/personality disorders, criminal conduct, security violations, and outside activities. It is the responsibility of the applicant to cooperate by providing full, frank, and truthful answers to all questions.
When information contained in investigative reports, or the receipt of other reliable information, raises a question concerning an applicant's security clearance eligibility, additional actions may be authorized for collecting relevant information pertaining to the eligibility requirements. These additional actions may significantly increase the time required for security clearance approval. The ultimate determination of whether the granting or continuing of eligibility for a security clearance is clearly consistent with the interests of national security will be an overall common-sense determination based upon careful consideration of the above information by DOE.